News to Us

Articles in this edition’s news roundup run the gamut from discussions on known and emerging pollutants to the importance of outdoor recreation and groundwater to our economy and quality of life.

Traces of Anxiety Drug May Affect Behavior in Fish There are many substances that occur in our waterways that are not filtered out in typical wastewater treatment processes. Pharmaceuticals make up a large percentage of emerging chemicals effecting our waters and the organisms living in them. Most of these impacts are largely unknown. This article is one of a growing body of evidence that some of these substances can change the behavior and physiology of exposed fishes.

Experts warn Lake Erie algae may increase if cities, farms don’t control nutrient threat The Huron River flows through more than 60 communities down to Pointe Mouillee where it empties into Lake Erie. That water carries with it pollutants, including phosphorus that it picks up along the way from agricultural and urban areas. Efforts in the watershed to curb phosphorus pollution can help reduce algal bloom issues in Lake Erie. Learn more about reducing phosphorus here.

The Outdoor Recreation Economy The Outdoor Industry Association has put together a national map quantifying the value to the economy of outdoor recreation. In Michigan, our natural resources abound and so do opportunities for recreation. See one group’s analysis of the contribution this makes to our State’s economy.

Groundwater: The Great Lakes region’s second-class citizen The majority of communities in the Huron River watershed draw on groundwater sources for drinking water. Groundwater is an incredibly important aspect of the hydrology of our watershed supplying clean water for drinking and source water for our rivers and wetlands. This article highlights the importance of being proactive about the protection of our groundwater resources.